TRENDING

Adm. Doran promotes biometrics, joint training

By Dawn S. Onley

Jan 17, 2003

SAN DIEGO'Adm. Walter F. Doran, commander of the Pacific Fleet, said the Navy has set up a test bed in San Diego for faster development of command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technologies to protect personnel.

He said the Naval Air Station North Island is testing a biometric identification system for base access called Smart Gate, which can operate unstaffed. The Navy is also testing vehicle bar coding, the Common Access smart card for entry, automatic surveillance and swimmer detection systems as the service prepares for war with Iraq.

Doran, speaking at the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association's conference here yesterday, said the Navy is also working on advanced underwater sensors and distribution of a common tactical picture across different platforms.

"The technical community is on the front line in this global war on terrorism," Doran said. "That's our asymmetric advantage. We will turn to you [technology vendors] with our requirements, and you will develop the systems and technology. We will train and lead our sailors, and they will operate the most advanced systems in the world."

Doran said the Joint Forces Command advocates combined training of the military services with new technologies. Last month, a joint task force of 400 went to Japan for a USS Blue Ridge exercise. The task force has members from each of the services, dispersed across the country from Alaska to Maryland. They communicate with each other daily via the Internet and tailored Web sites, he said.

"Web tools are in place to bring new members up to speed, and their training is reviewed and managed remotely," Doran said. "All of this can be accomplished while members continue with their full-time day jobs."